Pipe cutting apparatus



.J. G. HEIM 2,299,063

PIPE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1942.

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oct. 13, 1942. Y 161mm PIPE CUTTING APPARATUS 'Filed July 29, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mfosraaHAP/P/.s u@ FIRM ATToANf/s.

Ozt. 13, `vT942. J. G. HEIM PIPE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @Y HARP/5 /fc f f A H, 595715,? d: HA @A2/5 f 1 l l, f FOR TH FIRM A Trek/Veys.

Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

17 Claims.

My invention relates t apparatus for cutting pipe, and, since it fmds particular utility in its application to the cutting of drill pipe in place in an oil well, objects and advantages o the invention pertinent to such application and embodiments of my invention well adapted for such use are described herein, it being understood that my invention is not limited to such application or use.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide apparatus adapted for cutting pipe in a well, which apparatus is capable of insertion and operation within a very small clearance space between the pipe to be cut andthe casing or wall of the well.

Another object of my inventiony is to provide apparatus of the class described which is operative in cutting pipe having outwardly projecting collars or couplings at any desired location between the collars or couplings.

Another object of my invention is the provision of such apparatus which is operative to cut pipe having no projecting collars or couplings, but having an outer surface which is smooth or free from sharply projecting collars or couplings.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a device for cutting pipe having means for retaining the cutting element or cutting elements in retracted position out of contact with the pipe to be cut until the tool has reached the desired locus of cutting and means for returning the cutting element or cutting elements to retracted position at any time during the cutting operation or when the cutting operation is completed, and retaining such element or elements in such position during withdrawal of the device from the well.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a cutting tool of the class described having means for automatically maintaining the pressure of contact of the cutting element or cutting elements with the pipe being cut at a predetermined value.

More specically, it is an object of my invention to provide a tool for cutting an object from the outside thereof in which the radial movement of the cutting element or cutting elements during the cutting operation is in response to relative circumferential or rotational movement of the ends of a link or links carrying such element or elements which varies the length of the chord or chords represented by the projection of such links upon a plane normal to the axis of the member being cut.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of a tool capable of performing the objects hereinbefore stated and others which will be hereinafter apparent, which tool is simple and inexpensive in construction and positive in operation.

A description of one embodiment of my invention capable of performing these objects and providing these advantages is contained in the following specication, which may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the tool of my invention positioned in an oil well, within a casing, and around the .drill pipe, the tool being in retracted or non-cutting position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the tool illustrated in Fig. 1, the casing being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the tool illustrated in Fig. 2, the tool being in operative or cutting position;

Figs. 4 to 7,.inclusive, are horizontal sectional views taken on the lines 4 4, 5 5, 6-6 and '1 -1, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan View of the cutting element at the beginning of the cutting operation;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan View of the cuttin element at the end of the cutting operation;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View as taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a View showing the control slot projected onto a vertical plane; and

Fig. 12 is a side elevational View of an embodiment of the tool of my invention for cutting off a cylindrical member from the inside thereof, the tool being illustrated in its non-cutting position;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional View of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the tool being i1- lustrated with the parts in their cutting positions; and

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional views taken as indicated by the lines Ill-Ill and lli-I5 of Fig. 12, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, which are for i1- lustrative purposes only, the numeral I I indicates a casing within an oil well, and the numeral I2 indicates a string of drill pipe within the casing II. I3 indicates generally the tool of my invention, which is secured to a string of tubing I4 in any suitable manner as by a coupling I5. The tool I3 includes a cylindrical member I6 and a chisel member 0r shoe I'I threadedly secured to the lower end thereof and provided with an inner outwardly diverging cutting surface I8, facilitating the introduction of the tool I3 into the well between the drilling string I2 and the casing II. A plurality of links I9, illustrated in the drawings as three in number, are mounted in the cylindrical member I6, so that the ends of each of the links are capable of relative circumferential or rotational movement to a limited degree. This mounting includes a bearing member substantially hemispherical in shape connected by an extension 2| to the upper end of each of the links |9 and mounted for rotational movement in a bearing cavity 22 formed in the outer surface of the coupling. y

The coupling I5 is provided with an opening for the reception of the cylindrical connection 2| and a cavity 29 on its inner surface around the cylindrical opening, the opening being larger than the connection 2| to permit the connection 2| to move relative to the coupling I5, as will be later described. Each of the links I9 includes an upper portion 24 adapted to engage the inner surface of the coupling I5, a central portion 25 offset radially outwardly from the upper portion 24, and a lower portion 29 in the plane of the upper portion 24. At the lower end of the lower portion 2G of each of the links I9 there is provided a semi-spherical bearing member 21 and cylindrical connection 29 between such bearing member and the link I9 similar to the bearing member 22 and connection 2| previously described.

The numeral 29 indicates a sleeve rotatively disposed within the cylindrical member I5. Secured to the inner surface of the lower end of the sleeve 29, as by rivets 39, are inwardly belled overshot or yieldable arms 3|, illustrated in the drawings as three in number. The lower ends of the arms 9| are secured, as by rivets 32, to a collar 33 slidable withinthe cylindrical member I6. The yieldable arms 3i are bent inwardly and formed of resilient metal, so that they resiliently engage the outer surface of the drill pipe I2 and resist relative vertical and rotational movement of the sleeve 29 and the drill pipe I2.

Each of the links I9 is provided intermediate its ends with a cutting element 34, best illustrated in Figs. 5, 8, 9, and 10. As shown in Fig. 5, each of the cutting elements 34 includes a cutting surface 35 projecting slightly from the body of the cutting element upwardly and circumferentially in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above.

The sleeve 29 is provided with vertical slots 31 for the reception of the bearing members 2'I and the connections 28 of the links I9, these slots being wider than the connections 23 so that the connections may move relative to the sleeve 29.

The sleeve 29 is also provided with a pin 38 adapti ed for movement in a portion 39 of a control slot 49 in the cylindrical member I9. The length of the circumferential control slot 49 is predetermined in order to control the length of the radial movement of the cutting elements 34, as hereinafter described.

In the use of the tool I9 it is lowered with the tubing string I4 around the drill pipe I2 and within the casing string I I to the locus where it is desired to cut the drill pipe I2. During the descent of the tool I3, the string of tubing I4 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, looking downwardly, and the cutting surface I8 of the chisel member I'I pushes aside the rotary mud and any deposit between the drill string I2 and the casing string II and facilitates the lowering of the tool I3. If the drill string I2 is provided with outwardly projecting collars or couplings, the yield- Vable arms 3| are deformed outwardly during the descent-of the tool, and these arms resiliently engage the pipe string I2 between such collars or couplings. During such descent of the tool, the pin 38 upon the sleeve 29 is retained at the upper end of the vertical slot 39 of the cylindrical member I6 by the resistance to downward movement of the sleeve 29 caused by the resilient engagement of the arms 3l connected thereto with the pipe string I2, thus preventing the rotation of the Isleeve 29 relative to the cylindrical member IS and the movement of the cutting elements 34 to cutting position.

When the tool i3 has reached the level at which it is desired to sever the drill pipe I2, the lowering operation is terminated, and the tubing string I4 and attached cylindrical member I6 are elevated, while the sleeve 29 is retained stationary by virtue of the engagement of the arms 3| with the string of drill pipe I2, so that the pin 38 is moved from the vertical slot 39 into the circumferential slot 4D of the cylindrical member I6. During continued rotation of the tubing string I4 and the cylindrical member IS, the resilient engagement of the ams 3| with the drill pipe I2 resists rotational movement of the sleeve 29 and the lower ends of the links I9. The limit of circumferential movement of the upper ends of the links I9 relative to the lower ends of `the links, as dened by the length of the circumferential slot iii in the cylindrical member IB and the resistance to rotation of the lower ends of the links I9 afforded by the contact of the resilient arms 3| with the drill pipe I2 and the resilience or deiormability of the links I9 are so related that, when the pin 33 reaches the end of the circumferential slot 49 during rotation of the tubing string I4 and the cylindrical member I6, the cutting elements 34 are urged into contact with the drill pipe I2 with the desired degree of pressure. This pressural contact is accomplished by the relative circumferential or rotational displacement of the upper ends of the links I9 relative to the lower ends of these links, thus varying the length of the chord represented by the projection onto a horizontal plane of each of the Continued rotation of the tubing string I4 and the cylindrical member I' causes the cutting elements 34 to exert a cutting action upon the drill pipe I2. The upper end of the tubing string I4 being held against vertical movement, the radial advancement of the cutting relements 34 causes them to move upwardly to a slight extent, and the upward slant of the cutting surface 35 of each of the cutting elements 34 causes each cutting element to follow through this upward movement and prevents binding of the cutting elements 34 with the cut edges of the drill pipe I2. Each of the cutting elements 34 is made of a radial length greater than the drill pipe to be cut, so that the drill pipe may be completely severed. When the drill pipe is cut through, the cut-01T upper portion may be removed by pulling upwardly upon the tubing string I4 with or without clockwise rotational movement of the string.

A short vertical slot 39a may be formed in the cylindrical member I5 at that end of the circumferential control slot 49 opposite the vertical slot 39 and extending downwardly therefrom. When the tool i3 is actuated so that the cutting elements 34 are in their maximum cutting position and the pipe string I2 is severed and the tool moved upwardly in the well, the pin 38 is moved to the bottom of the short vertical slot 39a, relative rotation of the ends of the links I9 vis prevented, and the cutting elements 34 are position by virtue of retained in their innermost position, where they support the cut-off portion of the drill pipe I2 and permit its elevation to the surface of the ground.

If desired, the tubing string I4 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from above) and lowered until the pin 38 of the sleeve 29 has been moved to a position opposite the vertical slot 39 of the cylindrical member I6, whereupon upward movement of the tubing string I4 will accomplish the withdrawal of the tool I3, the links I9 and their associated cutting elements 34 being retained in inoperative or non-cutting the retention of the pin 38 at the upper end of the vertical slot 39 of the cylindrical member I6 by the resistance to upward movement alforded by contact of the yieldable arms 3| with the drill pipe I2.

If the latter operation is performed, the cutoff section of the drill pipe may be removed by subsequently lowering an overshot or spear or other suitable pipe engaging mechanism into retaining engagement with the cut-off section of the drill pipe and subsequently elevating such tool and the cut-ofi" section to the surface of the ground.

The links I9 may be formed of such width and thickness, and the openings in the coupling I and sleeve 29 for the reception of the extensions 2l and 23 may be made sufficiently larger than such extensions, so that, during the cutting operation of the cutting elements 34, the links are deformed circumferentially in a manner tending to wrap them around the string of drill pipe I2.

With or without such deformation cf the links I9,

the cavities 23 and inclined faces 4I provided at the upper ends of the slots 3l on the inner surface of the sleeve 29 facilitate the relative rotational or circumferential movement of the upper and lower ends of each of the links I9, so that they assume, during the cutting operation, positions of progressively greater chords as projected upon a plane normal to the axis of the string of drill pipe I2 being severed.

If it is desired to utilize my invention in the form adapted for cutting off drill pipe from the inside thereof, it is necessary only to modify that embodiment herein described, so that, as illustrated in Figs. 12 to l5, inclusive, links 5I are in position in which their projections upon a plane normal to the pipe to be cut are of maximum length during the movement -of the tool to the desired locus of cutting, at which locus relative rotation of the ends of the links 5I will cause movement of cutting elements 52 carried on the outer surface of such links in a radially outward direction into operative or cutting position with the inner surface 53 of the pipe 54 to be cut.

Since the embodiment of my invention hereinbefore illustrated and described depends for the radial movement of the cutting elements during the cutting operation upon the relative circumferential or rotational movement of the ends of the links I9, which in the inoperative or noncutting position are parallel to the axis of the pipe being cut, it will be apparent that I have provided a cutting-off tool capable of performing its intended operation in a clearance space of very small radial dimension between the pipe tobe cut and the casing or the wall of the well surrounding it, and that the tool of my invention may be employed to cut drill pipe having outwardly projecting collars or couplings anywhere between said collars or couplings, and that it may be employed to cut at any desired locus drin pipe having no such outwardly projecting collars or couplings, since it is in no way dependent upon such collars or couplings for either its actuation into operative position or the performance of its cutting operation.

It will be obvious also from the foregoing that the tool of my invention accomplishes the object primarily stated of providing means for retaining the cutting elements in retractive or inoperative position during the descent of the tool and during removal of the tool either before or after the pipe has been severed.

Likewise it will be seen that by controlling 'he rate of the cutting operation by the resistaance to deformation of the links I9, the resistance to rotation of the yieldable arms 3I engaging the drill pipe I2 and the circumferential length of the slot 40 in the cylindrical member I6, I have provided a tool including means by automatically and in a predetermined manner fixing the rate of pressural contact of the cutting elements 34 with the drill pipe I2, and hence the rate of the cutting action.

While that embodiment of my invention hereinbefore illustrated and described is fully capable of performing the objects and providing the advantages primarily stated, there are various other embodiments of my invention likewise capable of performing these objects and providing such advantages. Likewise, embodiments of my invention are capable of uses differing from those hereinbefore illustrated and described. I therefore wish my invention to be understood as not restricted to such embodiments or uses, but entitled to the full scope of the claims which follow.

I claim as my invention:

l. A vcutting-off stool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative rotational movement on rotation of said body member; a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement; and releasable means adapted for restraining such rotational movement.

2. A cutting-off tool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative rotational movement on rotation of said body member; a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement; and means adapted for restraining such rotational movement during movement of said body member in one direction relative to the member to be cut, said means being releasable by movement of said body member in the opposite direction.

3. A cutting-off tool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative rotational movement on rotation of said body member; a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement; means adapted for retaining said cutting element out of contact With the member to be cut during movement of the body member in one direction relative thereto, said means being releasable by movement of the body member in the opposite direction; and means adapted for retaining said cutting element in contact with the severed portion of the member to becut, said means being responsive to the weight of such portion upon said cutting element.

4. In apparatus for cutting pipe, the combina-f.

tion of: a body member; a rotatable member associated with said body member; a link so connecting said members that the length of its projection upon a plane normal to the axis of the pipe is varied by the relative rotation of said members; a cutting element associated with said link and movable between retracted and cutting position in response to variation in such projected length of said link; means connected to one of said members adapted for restraining its rotation relative to the other of said members by engagement with the pipe; and means for rotating the other of said members.

5. In apparatus for cutting pipe, the combination of: a body member; a rotatable member associated with said body member; a resilient link so connecting said members that the length of its projection upon a plane normal to the axis of the pipe is varied by the relative rotation of said members; a cutting element associated with said link and movable between retracted and cutting position in response to variation in such projected length of said link; means connected to one of said members adapted for restraining its rotation relative to the other of said members by engagement with the pipe; means for rotating the other of said members; and stop means limiting the relative rotation of said members.

6. In apparatus for cutting pipe, the combination of: a body member; a rotatable member associated with said body member; a link so connecting said members that the length of its projection upon a plane normal to the axis of the pipe is varied by the relative rotation of said members; a cutting element associated with said l link and movable between retracted and cutting position in response to variation in such projected length of said link; means connected to one of said members adapted for restraining its rotation relative to the other of said members by engagement with the pipe; means for rotating the other of said members; stop means limiting the relative rotation of said members; and locking means associated with said members and adapted for restraining their relative rotation during their movement in one direction axially or" the pipe.

'7. in apparatus for cutting pipe, the combination of: a body member; a rotatable member associated with said body member; a link so c-onf necting said members that the length of its projection upon a plane normal to the axis of the pipe is varied by the relative rotation of said members; a cutting element associated with said link and movable between retracted and cutting position in response to variation in such projected length of said link; means connected to one of said members adapted for restraining its rotation relative to the other of said members by engagement with the pipe; means for rotating the other of said members; stop means limiting the relative rotation of said members; and locking means associated with said members and adapted for restraining their relative rotation during their movement in one direction axially of the pipe and for freeing said members for relative rotation during their movement in the opposite direction.

8. In apparatus for cutting pipe, the combination of: a body member; a rotatable member associated with said body member; a link; a plurality of means so connecting said link to said members that the length of the projection of said link upon a plane normal to the axis of the pipe is varied by the relative rotation of said members, one of said means adapting the link and the member which it connects for relative movement axially of the pipe; a cutting element associated with said link and movable between retracted and cutting position in response to variation in such projected length of said link; means connected to one of said members adapted for restraining its rotation relative to the other of said members by engagement with the pipe; and means for rotating the other of said members.

9. A- cutting tool, including: a body member; means so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative displacement substantially parallel to the surface of the member to be cut by rotation of said body member; and cutting means carried by said means and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative displacement.

l0. A cutting tool, including: a body member adapted for passing over the member to be cut; means so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative rotational movement circumferentialiy of the member to be cut by rotation of said body member; and a cutting element carried by said means and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement.

11. A cutting tool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for limited relative movement substantially parallel to the surface of the material to be cut by rotation of said body member; and a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the material to be cut in response to such relative movement.

12. A cutting tool, including: a body member; a resilient supporting member so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative rotational movement by rotation of said body member; and a cutting element carried by said supporting member and movable in a direction substantially normal to such rotational movement and into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement.

13. A cutting-oir tool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for limited relative rotational movement substantially parallel to the surface of the member to be cut on rotation of said body member; and a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement, the limit of such rotational movement being so related to the thickness of the member to be cut that said cutting element severs the member to be cut when or before such limit is reached.

14. A cutting tool, including: a body member; a member so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for limited relative rotational movement substantially parallel to the surface of the member to be cut during rotation of said body member; and a cutting element carried by said member and movable into thev member to be cut in response to such relative rotational movement, said member being of such resilience as to limit the maximum pressural contact of said cutting element with the member to be cut to the desired value.

l5. A cutting tool, including: a body member; a link so mounted in said body member that its ends are adapted for relative movement substantially parallel to the surface of the member to becut; a cutting element carried by said link and movable into the member to be cut in redisplacement of the ends of said supporting spense to such relative rotational movement; member. and retarding means adapted for restraining 17. A Cut'mg T1001, mludmgl a body member;

such relative movement by engagement with the a SUPPOTng H lembel S0 mOllnted in Said body member to be Cub member that 1ts ends are adapted for hmted 16 A Cutting tool including: a body member relative movement substantially parallel to the comprising portions adapted for relative moVesunace of the member to be om by rotatlon of said body member; and a cutting element carment, a supportmg member so connected to sa1d Tied by said Supporting member and movable portions that its ends are adapted for relative 10 into the member to be cut in response to Such displacement substantially parallel to the surface relative movement, said cutting element being 0f the member t0 be out upon 'elatlve movement at substantially the same angle With the surface of said portions; and Cutting means Carried by of the member to be cut as the direction of its said supporting member and movable into the movement into such membe member to be cut in response to such relative l5 JACOB G. HEIM.

'l CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. Patent' Ne. 2,299,065. 1 october 15, 19u?.

JACOB HEIM.'

`A It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring` correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 50, for "positionl read positions; l and second column, line lli-15, -for "resistaance" read --resi-stance; line 57, claim l, for the word "stgolf' read --too1; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record .of the .case in the Patent Office. I

signed and sealed this 22nd day ef Deeember, A. D.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

